The Greyhound Adoption Program’s (GAP) centre at Baxter on the Mornington Peninsula has re-homed its 400th greyhound, Dizzy.

The number is a milestone for the centre at Baxter which was established just over two years ago to support the main GAP headquarters in Seymour and service the south-eastern suburbs and Gippsland.

Nathan Kriening and fiancée Ashlee Cooper felt sure they had found the right dog when they met Dizzy, who has been renamed Jet out of consideration for Nathan’s human mate Dizzy.

“He is jet black and fast so it’s appropriate,” says Nathan.

They went to Baxter “just looking”. They met a few dogs, then they were introduced to Dizzy. The new addition to their home in Keysborough must also get along with two kelpies, four-year-old Digger and Scooby who is fourteen and a half.
It was Scooby’s advanced years that started Nathan thinking about getting another companion for Digger so he wasn’t on his own when the older dog does eventually pass away.

“Dizzy was the sixth dog we saw and we fell in love with him. We were looking for a dog that was a good match for us who would get along with our kelpies. We are both outgoing people and he was the first dog to came up to both of us. He wasn’t shy at all,” Nathan said. “He is definitely fitting into the clan.”

Greyhound Racing Victoria CEO Alan Clayton congratulated Michelle Fisher who manages the Baxter centre and the GAP team on achieving this marvellous milestone.

“We knew there were people around the city and in the south-east who were interested in fostering and adopting greyhounds, so we leased some kennel space on the Mornington Peninsula,” Mr Clayton said.

“When I visited Baxter, I couldn’t believe how busy it was – no-one had time to talk to me, there were people and dogs coming in and out.

“It has been very successful, and we are soon to open a dog café, City GAP on the edge of the city – a community hub where prospective greyhound fosterers, adopters and greyhound owners can meet, enjoy each others’ company and get information about GAP.

“GAP’s success is an indication of the growing demand for these wonderful, gentle dogs. In the 2017 financial year Victoria’s GAP centres re-homed over 1300 greyhounds, which is a record. GAP is a world-class re-homing program, you won’t find a better program anywhere.”

Ms Fisher said the centre is open most weekends, by appointment only.

She said adoptions began slowly in 2015, averaging three dogs each weekend, which grew to four dogs last year and now averages six dog every weekend.

“We get people coming from the northern suburbs and the inner city, all through the south and from Gippsland. There is a lot on interest on this side of town and it has been terrific that GAP has been able to grow with the demand.”

]]>http://gap.grv.org.au/2017/09/25/baxter-gap-reaches-dizzy-heights-greyhound-number-400-finds-home/feed/0GAP GRELFIE CONTEST at the ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOWhttps://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundAdoptionProgramVIC/photos/a.1428294027385257.1073741828.1419630838251576/1965639113650743/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundAdoptionProgramVIC/photos/a.1428294027385257.1073741828.1419630838251576/1965639113650743/?type=3&theater#commentsSat, 23 Sep 2017 05:25:48 +0000http://gap.grv.org.au/?p=8862Post a GRELFIE with one of the greyhounds at our stand during the Royal Melbourne Show. We will be there every day during the show, from 10am-7pm, in the Channel 7 Family Fun Pavilion. Our 10 favourite GRELFIES will each win a really cool PET FIRST AID KIT!
]]>https://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundAdoptionProgramVIC/photos/a.1428294027385257.1073741828.1419630838251576/1965639113650743/?type=3&theater/feed/0See you at this year’s Royal Melbourne Showhttp://gap.grv.org.au/2017/09/20/years-royal-melbourne-show/
http://gap.grv.org.au/2017/09/20/years-royal-melbourne-show/#commentsWed, 20 Sep 2017 02:22:25 +0000http://gap.grv.org.au/?p=8854

Come along to see us at the Royal Melbourne Show which starts this Saturday.

GAP will be there every day during the show, from 10am-7pm, in the Channel 7 Family Fun Pavilion.

GAP ambassador and Melbourne AFL star Bernie Vince will be joining us on Wednesday afternoon, so pop in and say hello.

About 80 volunteers, most of whom have adopted a greyhound through GAP, will bring their dogs along and answer questions about the breed, supported by GAP and GRV personnel.

It’s a great opportunity for people to get up close and personal with a greyhound and find out more about these wonderful dogs.

2016 PHOTO GALLERY

]]>http://gap.grv.org.au/2017/09/20/years-royal-melbourne-show/feed/0Racetrack stars do make great petshttps://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/racetrack-stars-do-make-great-pets/
https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/racetrack-stars-do-make-great-pets/#commentsMon, 18 Sep 2017 05:39:57 +0000http://gap.grv.org.au/?p=8851Many successful race dogs have been accepted into the Greyhound Adoption Program and been adopted by Victorian families.
]]>https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/racetrack-stars-do-make-great-pets/feed/0Unsung heroes of the Greyhound Adoption Programhttp://gap.grv.org.au/2017/09/13/unsung-heroes-greyhound-adoption-program/
http://gap.grv.org.au/2017/09/13/unsung-heroes-greyhound-adoption-program/#commentsWed, 13 Sep 2017 06:29:52 +0000http://gap.grv.org.au/?p=8845

Stumpy and Bingo have been integral in Victoria’s Greyhound Adoption Program re-homing in record numbers in recent years.

The rough-coated Jack Russell dogs both have exceptional temperaments.

“Stumpy and Bingo help us assess all of the greyhounds that come into the program to determine whether they’re suitable for adoption or not,” Greyhound Adoption Program Manager, Larissa Darragh said.

“They’re both really well-adjusted little dogs. They’re very happy, friendly and really social. They’re great with the greyhounds. They’re non-aggressive and will quite happily stand there and let the greyhounds smell them and start to realise that they’re just a little dog.”

Meet Stumpy and Bingo

Since the filming of this video 14-year-old Stumpy has been retired and, ironically, he is searching for a loving new home himself, having been living on the GAP premises in Seymour for most of his life. If you’re looking for a dog but don’t have room for another greyhound and you think Stumpy would be a welcome addition to your family, drop us a line at gap@grv.org.au.

]]>http://gap.grv.org.au/2017/09/13/unsung-heroes-greyhound-adoption-program/feed/0GAP at the Royal Melbourne Show this yearhttp://gap.grv.org.au/2017/08/30/gap-royal-melbourne-show-year/
http://gap.grv.org.au/2017/08/30/gap-royal-melbourne-show-year/#commentsWed, 30 Aug 2017 01:57:48 +0000http://gap.grv.org.au/?p=8834

GAP will have a stand at the Royal Melbourne Show again this year.

Excitement is building and arrangements are in full swing for the event which is the biggest we host during the year.

GAP ambassador and Melbourne AFL star Bernie Vince will be at our stand to meet the crowds and talk about all-things greyhound.

Between 70 – 80 volunteers, most of whom have adopted a greyhound through GAP, bring their dogs along to meet people and answer their questions about the breed, supported by GAP and GRV personnel.

It’s a great opportunity for people to get up close and personal with a greyhound and find out more about them, so a big thank you to all the volunteers who will be there at the Show with us.

Held in the Lifestyle Pavilion, the GAP stand draws a steady crowd of people from 10am – 7pm. We will be there every day during the Show.

Twenty greyhounds sauntered off to new homes after yesterday’s Greyhound Adoption Day, the first ever held in Bendigo.

About 150 people turned up to meet 22 dogs at the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association’s track at Lords Raceway, Junortoun.

Most of the dogs are retired racing greyhounds which will be moving on to a more relaxed and sedentary life as a household pet.

Ross and Fleur Hastings from Eaglehawk took home Black Jack, a two-year old greyhound with a hearing impairment, which is not something that GAP sees very often at its kennels in Seymour or Baxter.

The couple weren’t put off by the hearing impairment and, one day after bringing him home, Ross is pretty sure Black Jack can hear more than they initially thought, because he responds to louder noises, leaping up to investigate what is going on when he hears the front door open or the TV going.

This was Ross and Fleur’s first Greyhound Adoption Day; they saw it mentioned on GAP’s Facebook page and liked the idea of giving a greyhound a good home, especially as they had lost their much-loved eight-year-old deerhound about two months ago.

Ross said he was drawn to Black Jack because he seems to be a quiet, calm dog.

Ross and Fleur Hastings who adopted Black Jack the deaf dog

The day drew people from Bendigo and further afield – some travelled from Frankston, Geelong, Werribee and Shepparton.

Danny Ralph and his wife Sharon didn’t tell their children Molly and James where they were going when they left home in Mooroopna, just that they were driving to Bendigo. From Bendigo, they took a detour to the racetrack where the siblings spotted greyhound Jake.

“We had no intention of taking one home, just came for a look, but everyone’s fallen in love with him,” Danny said. “He found us, we didn’t find him – he kept following me and I thought ok, I don’t think we’ll be leaving without him.”

The family is no stranger to greyhounds – Danny’s uncle Stan Ralph is a successful trainer in Tooradin. In fact, the day before the adoption day Danny had a $55 win when he put a small bet on his uncle’s dog, Shanlyn Pippin, so it was a lucky weekend as far as dogs were concerned.

When it’s suggested that keeping greyhounds must run in the Ralph family, Danny has no illusions about the lifestyle of retired greyhounds and what’s in store for Jake.

“I think this is a bit different, lying around on the couch,” he says with a wry grin.

Molly and James Ralph with Jake (that’s the photo of 2 kids)

Adoption days are held approximately every six weeks; however, every day is adoption day at GAP headquarters in Seymour and GAP’s Mornington Peninsula (Baxter) location where you can make an appointment to meet the greyhounds in a more relaxed environment – call GAP on 5799 0166 or email gap@grv.org.au

Rob Bourke was excited when he discovered that his new greyhound was no slouch on the track, with wins totalling $6,500 to his name.

After attending the Greyhound Adoption Day in Bendigo on Sunday, he jokingly says he is going to put four-year-old Betoo to work again.

“He can probably pay for his own keep.”

Rob was at the adoption day with his wife Renee, and their children Angus, four, and Alex, 18 months.

The family travelled from Warrandyte hoping to find the right dog for them – one that is happy being around young children. The team at GAP carefully identify each dog’s traits and character, and ask potential greyhounds owners to provide details about any other pets they have, where the dog will sleep and what sort of temperament they’re looking for, among other questions.

It’s a long Sunday drive from Warrandyte to Lords Raceway, but the couple had been to the Greyhound Adoption Program’s adoption day at The Meadows in June and unfortunately left empty-handed. This time they were hopeful of finding the right dog.

Kennel Cough is a highly contagious disease in dogs, caused by a number of upper respiratory viruses (including canine parainfluenza) and bacteria (usually Bordetella bronchiseptica).

How do dogs get Kennel Cough?

Kennel Cough is spread as droplets in the air from one coughing dog to a healthy dog. When an infected dog coughs, the bacteria and viruses will usually die quickly in the air unless those droplets are inhaled by another dog in close proximity. Once a dog has inhaled the infection, it usually takes between five and seven days for symptoms to begin.

It is important to note that even after the coughing has stopped and your dog appears well, they can remain infectious (continue to shed the infection) for up to three months.

What are the symptoms of Kennel Cough?

The symptoms of Kennel Cough include:

runny nose

sneezing

dry, hacking cough

How long does Kennel Cough last?

Depending on the general health of your dog, the exact infectious agent(s) associated with the disease, and your dog’s vaccination status, Kennel Cough can last from a few days to several weeks.

Can Kennel Cough be prevented?

Annual vaccination against the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and canine parainfluenza virus (part of the C5 vaccination) can prevent Kennel Cough outbreaks or at least help to reduce the incidence and/or severity of the diseases. As described earlier, Kennel Cough is often caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria, although it is often the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria that causes the severe cough; and it is the coughing that spreads the disease.

Vaccination is especially important because dogs with Kennel Cough can continue to spread the disease for up to three months after their symptoms have disappeared.

Kennel Cough vaccinations can be obtained through your veterinarian in injectable, intra-nasal (nose) or oral forms. The intra-nasal and oral vaccinations can be very effective in preventing the spread of Kennel Cough, as they usually act more rapidly than the injection. This is because the intra-nasal and oral vaccines act on the mucus membrane lining of the nasal and oral passages, preventing the viruses and bacteria from gaining entry into the animal.

My dog has Kennel Cough, what do I do?

At the first sign of Kennel Cough, the sick dog should be immediately isolated from all other dogs on your property (as much as possible) and you should contact your veterinarian, who will provide information about treatment options, quarantine and vaccination options for your sick dog and any other dogs you own.

Remember, the disease travels from dog to dog through droplets in the air, so as much as possible you should attempt to disinfected floors and areas where your dog generally sleeps. All dog bedding, drinking and food bowls should be washed in hot soapy water. Don’t forget to disinfect your outdoor kennel as well, with hospital grade disinfectants, which can be purchased from your local supermarket (note that if you have a cat, take care with any pine based product as these can be toxic to cats).

In addition, ventilating your house (opening doors at either end to allow fresh air in) will also help reduce spread of the disease.

Can people catch Kennel Cough?

No, Kennel Cough cannot be caught by humans.

]]>http://gap.grv.org.au/2017/08/18/kennel-cough-faqs/feed/0Charlie’s helping handhttp://gap.grv.org.au/2017/08/09/charlies-helping-hand/
http://gap.grv.org.au/2017/08/09/charlies-helping-hand/#commentsTue, 08 Aug 2017 22:45:17 +0000http://gap.grv.org.au/?p=8727‘Resilient’ probably isn’t the first word used to describe a retired greyhound, maybe ‘lazy’, ‘loyal’ or even at a stretch ‘crazy’ can spring to mind but like many things in life, the norm will often be broken.

Charlie joined the tripod squad in April after breaking his front leg for the second time when he was playing in the backyard, after months of recovery and plenty of tender loving care from the Vos family Charlie is now helping others as a Delta Therapy dog.

“The vets tried to fix his front leg, at first with a halo cast and then a normal cast before we made the decision to amputate his leg because of how weak it was,” owner Andrea Vos said.

“He was so resilient throughout the whole process and being a relatively young dog, we were confident that he would be able to mentally and physically handle having only three legs.

And handle it Charlie has. He is now playing just as gracefully with three legs as he did four.

“We had no doubt he would adapt to a happy life on three legs, he loves being around people and would receive a pat from anyone,” Vos said.

Andrea believes that Charlie has all the makings of a Delta Therapy dog because of his love for people and his ability, although a tough ask – to receive pats from absolutely everyone.

The Delta Dog Therapy program is run to provide the joy of animal companionship to those who need it most and it is estimated that these beautiful dogs brighten the lives of more than 20,000 people each week.

Delta Dogs visit health care facilities and schools to spend time and lend an ear to people in need.

“The Delta Dog Therapy Program isn’t just about Charlie it is something that I have been really looking forward to,” Vos said.

Vos and Charlie now have a local nursing home lined up to visit weekly near their home in Geelong.